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Wyden Statement on Permanently Fixing the Broken SGR System

WASHINGTON - Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today offered the following comment about reports that the House is considering legislation that would fully repeal SGR and replace it with a permanent payment system:

“I’ve been in Congress long enough to be skeptical of rumors, but what we are hearing from the House suggests there is real movement to fully repeal and replace the flawed formula for paying Medicare providers known as SGR,” Wyden said.

“If what we’re hearing is true, it’s good news and moves us closer to something I’ve been working tirelessly to achieve – a payment formula that stands on its own, doesn’t require annual and expensive ‘patches,’ and which opens the door to improving the way care is delivered.

“Repealing SGR and replacing it with a sensible and permanent payment system would ensure that Medicare is on a sustainable path going forward. And that is good news is for everybody.

“It’s also important to understand that SGR is not the only critically important health care program facing a deadline. Millions of children are at risk of losing their health insurance coverage if a four-year extension the Children’s Health Insurance Program isn’t passed soon. We need to pass CHIP now.”